G-Summit boots for Denali?

I am wondering if anyone has any thoughts on using the G-Summits, paired with an overboot for the West Buttress route from May 28-June 18th?

Another idea is possibly ordering the beefier G2 liners and seeing if I could stuff those inside the G-Summits. 

Would not do that if you like your toes. Many people are wearing 6000m boots + an overboot or heated socks for summit. Plenty don’t. But point being i wouldn’t go even lighter than a standard 6k option. 

Hey Noah, I don't think G summits + and overboot are a great option, even for late May/early June on Denali. While they do have a liner, even adding a heavier liner defeats some purpose IMO. You want some room for those toes and for your feet to be free as they swell at higher elevations plus you want to be able to dry liners as you'll be in them for an extended period. I'd go to G2's with either a heated sock or an overboot. My experience in early June 2022 was with G2's. I was comfortable everywhere except on summit day (-40 windchill). My toes were quite cold, to the point of considering turning around. I added my puffy pants and that helped to warm my feet. If I were to do it again, I'd add overboots or a heated sock. When are you headed out to AK? I have a friend headed up this season as well. If you have any questions beyond boots or just want to chat logistics, hit me up and I'll be happy to chat with you.

Pat Marrinan wrote:

Would not do that if you like your toes. Many people are wearing 6000m boots + an overboot or heated socks for summit. Plenty don’t. But point being i wouldn’t go even lighter than a standard 6k option. 

Pat, I spoke with La Sportiva and they stated the G Summits are a 6000m given it’s a double boot too. My idea was to use an overboot and heated socks as well. Any thoughts or does your opinion still stand on these not being an appropriate boot? 

I would not agree with that. I have the g summits and I love them but they are not insanely warm. Also keep in mind 6000m in the himalaya is much warmer than in AK due to how far north AK is. For a fast and light 6000m mission they would probably be fine but with how slow climbing Denali is I would not. I have heated socks too, yes with them in the g summits you would probably be warm enough but you would then be dealing with multiple battery packs recharging etc. 

if you have to turn around because your toes are too cold is going to be a real bummer. Also if you get frostbite once it is easier to get it again. I know a guy that has to wear 6k boots just ice climbing in the states because he is so cold sensitive from a previous injury. It can ruin both this trip and future ones.
yes buying double boots is a major expense if you don’t have them but an AK trip is already so expensive. I personally would spend the money and not be worried about it. But yea if you have a ton of heated sock batteries you probably won’t lose a toe…

Pat Marrinan wrote:

I would not agree with that. I have the g summits and I love them but they are not insanely warm. Also keep in mind 6000m in the himalaya is much warmer than in AK due to how far north AK is. For a fast and light 6000m mission they would probably be fine but with how slow climbing Denali is I would not. I have heated socks too, yes with them in the g summits you would probably be warm enough but you would then be dealing with multiple battery packs recharging etc. 

if you have to turn around because your toes are too cold is going to be a real bummer. Also if you get frostbite once it is easier to get it again. I know a guy that has to wear 6k boots just ice climbing in the states because he is so cold sensitive from a previous injury. It can ruin both this trip and future ones.
yes buying double boots is a major expense if you don’t have them but an AK trip is already so expensive. I personally would spend the money and not be worried about it. But yea if you have a ton of heated sock batteries you probably won’t lose a toe…

Thank you for your insight, Pat. I will definitely take all of your thoughts into consideration. Take care!

No problem, feel free to message if you have other AK / gear questions!

As Pat noted, while Denali is a 6k meter peak when it comes to weather it is not a 6k meter peak. That is because of its northern latitude. On Denali you will see many people with 8k boots. You will also see people with other boots with an overboot.

ItsJust MeJK wrote:

Hey Noah, I don't think G summits + and overboot are a great option, even for late May/early June on Denali. While they do have a liner, even adding a heavier liner defeats some purpose IMO. You want some room for those toes and for your feet to be free as they swell at higher elevations plus you want to be able to dry liners as you'll be in them for an extended period. I'd go to G2's with either a heated sock or an overboot. My experience in early June 2022 was with G2's. I was comfortable everywhere except on summit day (-40 windchill). My toes were quite cold, to the point of considering turning around. I added my puffy pants and that helped to warm my feet. If I were to do it again, I'd add overboots or a heated sock. When are you headed out to AK? I have a friend headed up this season as well. If you have any questions beyond boots or just want to chat logistics, hit me up and I'll be happy to chat with you.

Hey! Thank you so much for your reply. I figured they were a little thin. I do have an 8000m boot, but I’m in a predicament of them not fitting any snowshoes as I wear a size 14. Any thoughts or ideas there? I do plan on posting a separate thread on that itself. I might just buy the G2’s and heated socks  

I am leaving May 28th. If I have any other questions I’ll be sure to ask! Thank you again

Hey Noah, I'm seeing your post a bit late. I hope things are going well with snowshoe/boot considerations. Our permit for West Buttress starts on May 20th. Team of 2. First polar expedition. Snowshoes. We chose G2 EVO, and Scarpa Phantom 6000. Purple Haze overboots. Then we went to Vancouver BC for custom Intuition Liners.  We've been practicing on backcountry trips over the winter and I highly recommend the Intuition Liners. Please reach out if you have any questions.